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>From Whippet Article 1875. " SPORTING."-It is a remarkable fact that since
>the close of the rabbit-running ground, known as the Phoenix Park, Tunstall,
>the number of dogs in this town has diminished considerably. A few months
>back every street was infested with that species known in North
>Staffordshire as the " whippet "- a cross between an English terrier and a
>greyhound -a dog that seems fit for nothing but worrying rabbits. Why such a
>breed should be prized may puzzle some people. A " whippet " is not
>remarkable for its beauty nor its intelligence ; it lacks the noble and
>dignified carriage that distinguishes the thorough-bred greyhound ; when
>attacked by other dogs it displays a very small modicum of courage, for it
>generally turns its tail upon its opponent, and makes use of its long legs.
>Its sagacity is far below the standard of other sporting dogs ; yet, without
>his " whippet " the Staffordshire collier would, indeed, be a "lost man."
>His affection for the animal is a strange contrast to the inhuman treatment
>which he bestows upon his children. Only lately a School Board officer had
>occasion to visit a collier's dwelling to inquire the reason of the
>children's non-attendance at school. The miner's wife, with tears in her
>eyes, told the officer a sad story : " I canna send the children to school,
>for they hanna gotten never a bit o' shoe to their feet, and their clothes
>is all rags." " What are your husband's wages ? " inquired the officer.
>"Sometimes thirty-five shillings a week and sometimes more, sir, but he
>dunna give me more nor enough for bread, let alone boots and clothes." " In
>what way does he squander his money, if you do not receive it," asked our
>informant. "In dogs, or whippets as they calls 'em," replied the woman. "
>When they are training they has meat that we manna touch, and milk that I
>darena' give to th' babby, and the rest of his money is lost on bets when
>they run a-coursing rabbits." The woman then conducted the officer to a
>corner of the wretched room where four whippets were lying upon an old
>blanket. The animals were in good condition, but the children were stamped
>with the indelible marks of poverty and hardship. Their sickly-looking
>features betrayed the treatment they received from their father. This is not
>a singular instance. The owner of a rabbit-coursing field did good service
>to the town when he refused to renew the lease last March. Many a home has
>already felt the benefit of his decision.-Staffordshire Sentinel.
>the close of the rabbit-running ground, known as the Phoenix Park, Tunstall,
>the number of dogs in this town has diminished considerably. A few months
>back every street was infested with that species known in North
>Staffordshire as the " whippet "- a cross between an English terrier and a
>greyhound -a dog that seems fit for nothing but worrying rabbits. Why such a
>breed should be prized may puzzle some people. A " whippet " is not
>remarkable for its beauty nor its intelligence ; it lacks the noble and
>dignified carriage that distinguishes the thorough-bred greyhound ; when
>attacked by other dogs it displays a very small modicum of courage, for it
>generally turns its tail upon its opponent, and makes use of its long legs.
>Its sagacity is far below the standard of other sporting dogs ; yet, without
>his " whippet " the Staffordshire collier would, indeed, be a "lost man."
>His affection for the animal is a strange contrast to the inhuman treatment
>which he bestows upon his children. Only lately a School Board officer had
>occasion to visit a collier's dwelling to inquire the reason of the
>children's non-attendance at school. The miner's wife, with tears in her
>eyes, told the officer a sad story : " I canna send the children to school,
>for they hanna gotten never a bit o' shoe to their feet, and their clothes
>is all rags." " What are your husband's wages ? " inquired the officer.
>"Sometimes thirty-five shillings a week and sometimes more, sir, but he
>dunna give me more nor enough for bread, let alone boots and clothes." " In
>what way does he squander his money, if you do not receive it," asked our
>informant. "In dogs, or whippets as they calls 'em," replied the woman. "
>When they are training they has meat that we manna touch, and milk that I
>darena' give to th' babby, and the rest of his money is lost on bets when
>they run a-coursing rabbits." The woman then conducted the officer to a
>corner of the wretched room where four whippets were lying upon an old
>blanket. The animals were in good condition, but the children were stamped
>with the indelible marks of poverty and hardship. Their sickly-looking
>features betrayed the treatment they received from their father. This is not
>a singular instance. The owner of a rabbit-coursing field did good service
>to the town when he refused to renew the lease last March. Many a home has
>already felt the benefit of his decision.-Staffordshire Sentinel.
